Representative of Michigan’s 8th congressional district, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, is under scrutiny after it was discovered that she signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in connection with a proposed Chinese battery company’s factory.
According to reports, Rep. Slotkin and her deputy legislative director Austin Girelli signed NDAs to engage in closed-door discussions about the proposal from Gotion, a subsidiary of the Hefei, China-based Gotion High-Tech, to build an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in Big Rapids, Michigan. However, despite numerous requests for comments, Slotkin has ignored them all.
This revelation came as the Gotion project received increasing scrutiny from national security experts, lawmakers, and locals concerned about the company’s Chinese ties. Gotion High-Tech is required to “carry out Party activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China,” according to its corporate bylaws. This has raised concerns about the potential national security implications of a Chinese-backed company building an electric vehicle battery plant in the United States.
The proposed factory would be located outside of Slotkin’s congressional district. Nonetheless, the fact that Slotkin signed an NDA to engage in discussions about the proposal raises eyebrows. It suggests that Slotkin knew about the potential national security concerns related to the project, but chose to keep silent.
Fox News reported that “Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and The Right Place, a western Michigan economic development agency pushing the Gotion proposal, have also entered into NDAs to discuss the project.”
The Gotion project has been a controversial issue in Michigan since it was announced in February. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that Gotion would invest nearly $2.4 billion in the plant, which would be supported by hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded incentives. However, due to the massive local uproar and national security concerns, Gotion put its plans on hold.
In conclusion, the fact that Rep. Slotkin signed an NDA to engage in discussions about a Chinese battery company’s proposed factory has raised questions about her transparency and commitment to national security. It is imperative that our elected officials prioritize the interests and safety of our nation above all else. As always, I will continue to keep you updated with the latest news.
